some of what she said about the libya attack was wrong but that the information came directly from the cia. the same is true of condoleezza rice, who passed on incorrect cia information on weapons of mass destruction in iraq but was still overwhelmingly confirmed as secretary of state. susan rice is closer to the president than anybody in his cabinet and has been an overachiever for most of her life, high school valedictorian, basketball star, rhodes scholar rising star in the clinton administration, but she also has a reputation for blunt talk. >> by all accounts she is talented, capable and extremely abrasive. >> reporter: in the 2008 campaign, she ridiculed hillary clinton's foreign policy experience and called john mccain "reckless and confused." if the president does nominate her, those who know her say she is more than up for the fight. although this would be a bruising battle, diane, i can tell you she would almost certainly have the votes to be confirmed. >> all right. jon karl reporting tonight. thank you, jon. >>> now we turn to the other battle brewing tonight, the clock is stil